Storm Survives Two Elimination Games at NCAAs

Folta spectacular in rematch against Sonoma State

Folta tosses one-hit shutout in NCAA Regional

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROHNERT PARK, CA – Facing elimination twice did not faze Dixie State's softball team on Saturday during day two action of the NCAA Division-II West Regional Softball Tournament. Anna Cue (Murrieta Valley, CA/Murrieta Valley High School) plated two runs in a 3-2 win over Grand Canyon and Lauren Folta (Erda. UT/Tooele High School) made a statement from the circle allowing one sole hit over five innings exacting revenge against Sonoma State 8-0.

Pacific West Conference foes Dixie State and GCU clashed for the right to advance. The Lopes had the game's first prime scoring opportunity in the home half of the first with the bases loaded and two out. Storm starter Brittnie Whipple got Tracy Lubken to fly out ending the Canyon threat.

The scoreboard seal broke for Dixie State in the third. Katlyn Nelson (Wilsonville. OR/Wilsonville High School) drew a walk after a nine-pitch plate appearance advanced to second on Cassi Merrill (Calgary, Alberta/Foundations for the Future Charter Academy)'s sacrifice bunt. Shantae Hunter (Idaho Falls. ID/Idaho Falls High School) grounded to short and when the throw to first sailed wide, Merrill rounded third to score.

An inning later, with Ashley McFarland (Layton. UT/Layton High School) at second after getting hit by a pitch and stealing second, Cue singled through the left side for an RBI pushing DSC's lead to 2-0.

Cue pushed across the eventual game winner in the sixth inning scoring pinch-runner Jayci Jeffress (Brighton, CO/Brighton HS) from second with a clean double to right center.

Grand Canyon used an infield RBI single and a dropped throw to first scoring twice in the home sixth. In the bottom of the seventh, the Storm received a scare when Pac West Player of the Year Teddy Berry lined a shot down the right field line that sailed over the fence just foul. Berry would ground out, but the Lopes drew back-to-back walks putting the tying run at second. Hunter tagged a passing base runner on a Montana Lucas grounder to end the threat and eliminate GCU from the regional.

Whipple went the distance allowing two runs on six hits improving her season record to 19-6. Hicken, Cue and Mendenhall each notched two hits.

Facing Sonoma State for the second consecutive day, Dixie State made sure the rematch did not feature another Seawolves comeback. The Storm pounded out 12 hits while Folta (20-7) controlled the game from the circle.

The sophomore surrendered a lead off hit to Simone Brandalise, but quieted the host team over the next four innings retiring 14 batters in a row. She hit a batter and walked another in the fifth before striking out pinch hitter Jesse Talaugon.

Offensively, the Storm playing as the home team sprung from the gates early with a pair of first inning runs. Kelsey Mendenhall (Tooele. UT/Tooele High School) singled to center tallying Bailey Hicken and Breanna Egge (Las Vegas. NV/Centennial High School) who each safely reached via a base hit.

The DSC lead doubled two innings later as Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial ) double through the left side plating Cue and Egge.

Dixie State pushed to the cusp of the run rule with three more runs in the 4th. Hicken singled and immediately scored on a Hunter double straddling the left field line. Mendenhall reached on a hit by pitch and stole second, allowing Hunter to double steal from third and swiping home. Brown capped the frame with an RBI single to left.
The game came to a sudden end when Cue was plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the DSC fifth.

Surviving two must-win games earn the Red Storm a spot in the regional championship against Chico State who advanced through the winner's bracket defeating the Seawolves 7-0 in early Saturday action. Dixie State must win two games while the Wildcats can advance to the Super Regional with one victory.

First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 11:00am Pacific time at Seawolf Field. Live audio from the NCAA Regional will be available on Classical 91.3FM and Network1Sports.com with John Potter beginning at 10:50am.

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Division-II Softball Tournament, visit Sonoma State's Tournament Central at www.sonomaseawolves.com.

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